6786-01-0163 (adv. 42010.0163); Decision regarding the deliberate release (field trial) of genetically modified maize (Zea mays L.) NK603 and MON810 issued by the German Competent Authority

- If any new information on the cultivated LMO emerges that might bear any risk for human health, animal health or the environment the national federal authority needs to be informed and sufficient risk measures have to be performed.
- Closed and clearly labelled repositories have to be used to transport any fertile plant material to and from the release site. The label needs to distinctively describe the LMO and it needs to be noted that this is a genetically modified maize that has not to be used as food or feed. In the case of transport of flowering plants or plant material from the release site to a genetic engineering facility transportation containers have to be used that avoid spreading of pollen. Machines - where required also those used for inactivation of corn seeds - and transportation containers that have been in contact with LMOs have to be cleaned thoroughly after use to minimize unintended transfer of genetically modified seeds. If plant material will be stored outside a genetic engineering facility the national federal authority needs to be informed about location and expected period a priori.
- If genetically modified plants are not transferred to a genetic engineering facility the following measures have to be respected for disposal: All corn seeds that are not needed as seeds or for further experimental analysis or that were found by cleaning the working equipment have to be destroyed by disruption of the germination capacity. Genetically modified plants and maize plants of isolation track ("Mantelsaat") have to be disposed by chaffing and digging under the soil. The chaffed plant material might also be transferred to a biogas plant.
- After completion of the field trial no maize has to be planted on the release site, its surrounding area and further 10 m of marginal strip for one year. During this time in the vegetation period a regular inspection of this area has to be conducted for transgenic maize volunteers. Maize volunteers have to be removed and destroyed before flowering. Also for the period of post-control recognition of the release site has to be ensured by sufficient measures. The inspection period has to be extended for another year if maize volunteers were observed.
-  An isolation distance of at least 300 m to fields with non-transgenic maize (600 m to fields with maize seed production) in addition to the isolation track ("Mantelsaat") of 6 m  needs to be respected.

To comply with requirements of Directive 2001/18/EC, Gentechnikgesetz (German Gene Technology Act): reduce possibility of GMO spread/establishment.

- type of decision: field trial
- LMO: NK603 and MON810
- legal basis: Directive 2001/18/EC, Gentechnikgesetz (German Gene Technology Act)
- scope: test of field performance of LMO
- authorization valid from 01 july 2005 to 31 december 2010
- locations: 1 experimental field located in different villages in Germany; for details see German LMO/GMO location register ( http://apps2.bvl.bund.de/stareg_web/localeSwitch.do?language=en&page=/showflaechen.do?)
- size: max. 50,000 m²/site/year
- 8-10 plants/m²